Everson was the hero of the night for Atletico Mineiro as he sent home a thundering penalty to win his team the round of 16 matchup in Copa Libertadores
The biggest takeaway from Atletico Mineiro and Boca Juniors’ showdown on Tuesday was the behemoth tiff which erupted ensuing the tie. Ensuing Boca Juniors being defeated by the hosts in penalties, a crass squabble broke out both on the pitch and inside the territory of the stadium.
Livid at being denied a goal in the second as the match officials checked VAR and decided Boca Juniors didn’t deserve a goal, the Argentina club went bonkers. From indulging in rifts with the Atletico Mineiro players, throwing chairs at the match officials, trying to barge into the home team’s dressing room and being sprayed by the Brazilian police, the visitors lost all kind of normalcy.
Copa Libertadores last 16 tie between Boca Juniors and Atlético Mineiro ends with a shootout win for the Brazilians.
Well, in true libertadores fashion it ends with a riot between security and players & changing rooms tear gassed. pic.twitter.com/2UvwjhwDOG
— RhysWRichards (@RhysWRichards) July 21, 2021
Copa Libertadores Atletico Mineiro vs Boca Juniors: Everson Nets Winning Penalty For The Hosts
In the midst of the bruhaha, what can’t be discounted is the exceptional match winning performance, Atletico Mineiro’s goal-keeper, Everson delivered on the night. The star of the match, Everson not only saved two penalties from Boca Juniors but ended up scoring the match winning penalty for his team as well.
It was a sterling effort, a thunderous strike which nestled into the top right hand corner. The rocket saw his side prevail 3-1 on penalties after the round of 16 showdown had previously ended 0-0 on the night.
♾ An EVERlasting performance has just sent @Atletico's football-crazy fans wild 🤯
🧤 Everson kept his 4th successive clean sheet in the @Libertadores, saved 2 penalties in the shootout and scored the winning spot-kick to seize a quarter-final place 🏴🏳️pic.twitter.com/r8yLmqq3wC
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) July 21, 2021
Law authorities in Brazil and the match officials are meanwhile set to impose sanctions and penalties on Boca Juniors for their tirade. The scenes which marred the encounter were torrid even by Copa Libertadores standards with the Argentina based club going on a complete rampage.
The first leg of the double header had ended up 0-0 as well with Boca Juniors’ midfielder, Diego Gonzalez claiming his side had been robbed and deserved to emerge victorious in both the fixtures.
The visitors were seen directing vile abuses at the law enforcement authorities as they chocked proceeding being sprayed in the face.